Coal News - Published on Tue, 11 Dec 2018

Straits Times reported that Australian schoolchildren led thousands of demonstrators in nationwide rallies calling for a suspension of plans by Indian mining company Adani to construct a controversial coal mine in the country's north-east. The rallies across major cities followed a protest last month that saw thousands of students defy Prime Minister Scott Morrison and skip school to demand the government take action on climate change. Schoolchildren invited adults along to yesterday's event, helping to boost numbers.

14-year-old Jean Hinchcliffe told protesters “We are taking a stand that our leaders are far too afraid to take themselves. We are the people that have been fighting and will keep fighting for a brighter future - not just for ourselves, but for our children and our children's children's children, and all future generations.”

Sammy Lightfoot, 12, said that "The leaders of Australia need to start acting. Schoolkids are the next generation of Australia so I think they should have the biggest voice."

Indian mining firm Adani vowed last month to press ahead with the construction of the controversial coal mine in Queensland state, although the project will be dramatically scaled back from earlier plans. Work on the Carmichael mine could start within weeks. Protesters called on both the government and the opposition to stop the project for now.